Match-box.



No. 7l6.088. I Patented Dec. :6, I902.

E. a. nonnamm. MATCH BOX.

(Application filed May 28, 1902,)

(No Model.)

UNITED TATES ATENT FFICE.

EMIL NORDBLOM, OF EAST SYRACUSE, NEW YORK.

MATCH-BOX.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 716,088, dated December 16, 1902.

Application filed May 28, 1902- Serial No. 109,300. (No model.)

To all whorrt it may concern:

Be it known that I, EMIL G. NORDBLOM, a citizen of the United States. residing at East Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Match-Boxes, of

which the following is a specification.

1 ready for. withdrawal.

This invention relates to match-boxes, and has for itsobject to provide a device of the class described which will possess points of advantage in convenience, simplicity, inex: pensiveness, effectiveness, and general efficiency.

Another objectof the invention is to provide a device of the class described in which only one match can be withdrawn at a time and in which the withdrawal of the match will ignite the same.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a match-box embodying my improvements in operative position, showing a match Fig. 2 is a plan view of such match-box with the top removed and in inoperative position, showing certain parts in section.

Corresponding parts in both figures are denoted by'the same reference characters.

Referring tothe drawings, 1 designates a match-box, which may be of any suitable material and shape, although preferably I have found that a box having fiat ends and eggshaped in cross-section answered the purpose of my invention best. The box 1 is divided into two parts 1"? and 1".

1 is a closedreceptacle for the matches,provided at the upper end at each side with an aperture 2 and 2 through the top and with an aperture 3 in the bottom opposite the aperture 2. If the box is not egg-shaped in crosssection, a Well or channel at is provided at one side of the lower portion 1 of the box 1,which will accommodate only one match at a time and which registers at its ends with the apertures 2" and 3. The bottom of the Well or channel 4 or the smaller side of the box, when egg-shaped, is provided adjacent to the aperture 3 with a roughened surface 4 for the purpose of igniting thematch 5 as it is withdrawn from-the box 1. The complementary roughened surface 6 is mounted in the bottom of the portion 1" of the box 1 opposite the roughened surface 4 and is adapted to slide transversely of the box 1. Means are provided for yieldingly pressing the roughened surface 6 toward the roughened surface 4, and stops are provided to limit the movement of the roughened surface 6. Such means in the form shown consist of aspring 7, seated in a casing 7, positioned transversely across the bottom of the lower portion 1* of the box 1, said casing 7 also forming a housing for the roughened surface 6 to slide in. Means are provided for closing the opening between the end of the casing 7 and the sides of the Well 4 to prevent the flame from the ignited match communicating with the other matches in the lower-portion of the box 1. Such means in the form illustrated comprise a spring-controlled lid 8, which is adapted to be pressed downward and opened by the match 5 when said match 5 is moved into position for withdrawal from the box 1.

The upper portion 1 of the box l-is adapted to slide over the upper portion of the lower portion 1 of the box 1 and is closed at the top. Means are provided in the upper portion 1 of the box 1 for forcing the match 5 through the aperture 3 whenit is desired to use one of the matches 5 in the box 1. Such means in the form herein shown consists of a plunger 9, securedin the upper portion 1 of the box 1 and extending through-the aperture 2" and provided with a head.10,ladapted to engage the head of the match 5, lying in the well or channel 4, and press the same downward and through the aperture 3 when the upper portion 1 of the box lis slid down upon the lower portion 1" of the box 1. Means are provided in the upper portion 1 of the box 1 to restore the same to normal position after it had been depressed for the purpose above described. In the form herein shown such means consist of a coiled spring 9, surrounding the plunger 9 and bearing at one end against the top of the upper portion 1 of the box 1 and at the other end against the closed top of the lower portion 1 of the box 1. Preferably the upper portion 1 of the box 1 is also provided at the side opposite the plunger 9 with a pin 11, which projects through the aperture 2 and is provided with a head 11 to prevent its withdrawal through the aperture 2, thus preventing the removal of the top portion l from the lower portion 1. The pin 11 is secured at its upper end to the top of the upper portion 1 of the box 1 and is surrounded by a coiled spring 12, which bears at one end against the top of the upper portion 1 and at the other end against the closed top of the lower portion 1.

The operation and advantages of my invention will be readily understood and appreciated. The parts being in the position shown inFig. 2, the upper portion 1 is depressed, whereupon the head 10 of the plunger 9 engages the head of a match 5 and presses it down and through the aperture 3, presenting the end outside of the bottom of the lower portion 1. The end of the match 5 can now be grasped and the match pulled from the box 1. During this operation the head of the match 5is broughtinto contact with the roughened surfaces 4 and6, and the friction caused by drawing the match between such surfaces ignites the sanie. As soon as the head of the match 5 has passed the lid 8 it springs back, closing the opening into the box 1 and preventing the ignition of the rest of the matches therein.

When the supply of matches in the box 1 has been exhausted, a new supply can be placed therein by sliding the bottom 0% the lower portion 1 of the box 1 and introducing the matches into the lower portion 1 through the opening 2.

I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the details of construction and arrangement as herein described and illustrated, as it is manifest that variations and modifications maybe made in the features of construction and arrangement in the adaptation of the device to various conditions of use without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and improvements. I therefore reserve the right to all such variation and modification as properly fall within the scope of my invention and the terms of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Pat- 1. A match-box, comprising a receptacle to contain matches, provided at one side with a guideway registering with openings in the top and bottom of said receptacle, a telescopic member, and means therein for projecting the matches one by one through an opening in the bottom of the box, a roughened surface adjacent the opening in the box-bottom, an opposed roughened surface yieldingly supported transversely of the box, and a springlid adapted to be opened by the pressure of the match thereon.

2. A match-box, comprising two telescopically-connected members, one serving as a match-receptacle, and form ed at one side with a guideway, and the other containing ejecting and retracting means, a stationary roughened surface alined with an opening in the box-bottom, a transversely-yielding roughened surface opposed to the stationary roughened surface, a housing extending transversely of the box, and a spring-lid normally closing the guideway, and adapted to be opened by the pressure of the match thereon.

3. A device of the class described, com prising a receptacle for matches provided at one side with a guideway registering with openings in the top and bottom of said receptacle and with a housing extending transversely of said receptacle at the bottom and having a spring-lid normally closing the guideway, a roughened surface adjacent the opening beneath the lid and an opposed roughened surface yieldingly mounted in said housing; and aspring-controlled member slidably mount: ed on said receptacle and provided with a plunger normally bearing against the head of the match lying in the-guideway.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name in the presence of the subscribing wit- HGSSBS.

EMIL G. NORDBLOM. Witnesses:

EDWIN A. KAYE, GEORGE BURNETT. 

